US Skier Mikaela Shiffrin Becomes Youngest Slalom Gold Medalist

KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia (AP) — Mikaela Shiffrin made Alpine skiing history Friday as the youngest ever winner of an Olympic slalom gold medal.

The 18-year-old American protected her lead from an impressive first run to win in 1 minute, 54 seconds. She finished 0.53 seconds faster than veteran Marlies Schild of Austria, one of Shiffrin's childhood favorites.

Kathrin Zettel of Austria took bronze, trailing 0.81 behind Shiffrin.

Shiffrin took the record for youngest Olympic slalom champion, male or female, from Paoletta Magoni of Italy, who won gold at the 1984 Sarajevo Games when she was 19.

Schriffin completed a full set of slalom honors — Olympic and world championship gold medals and a season-long World Cup discipline title — before her 19th birthday next month.